Lääne County Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Lääne County

County of Estonia

Flag	Coat of arms

Country

Estonia

Capital

Haapsalu

Area

• Total

2,383 km² (920 sq mi)

Population

(January 2017)

• Total

24,948

• Density

10.3/km² (27/sq mi)

ISO 3166 code

EE-57

Vehicle registration

Lääne County is a special area in Estonia. It's located on the western side of the country, right by the sea. The main city and capital of Lääne County is Haapsalu. This county is known for its beautiful nature, old castles, and quiet islands.

Understanding Lääne County
- The Capital City: Haapsalu
- Local Areas: Municipalities
Nature and Landscapes
History and Culture
- Historic Castles
- Churches and Manors
Images for kids
See also

Understanding Lääne County

Lääne County is one of the 15 counties in Estonia. Think of a county like a large region or district within a country. It has its own local government and helps manage things like schools and roads.

The Capital City: Haapsalu

The capital city of Lääne County is Haapsalu. It's a charming town by the sea, famous for its historic castle and healing mud baths. Many people visit Haapsalu for its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful wooden houses.

Local Areas: Municipalities

Counties are divided into smaller areas called municipalities. These are like local towns or districts that manage their own services. Lääne County has one city municipality and two rural municipalities.

Municipality	Type	Population (2018)	Area km²
Haapsalu	Urban	13,516	264
Lääne-Nigula Parish	Rural	7,239	1,451
Vormsi Parish	Rural	419	93

Haapsalu: This is the main city and the capital. It's an urban area with more people living close together.
Lääne-Nigula Parish: This is a larger rural area. It includes many small villages and lots of nature.
Vormsi Parish: This is a small island municipality. It's known for its unique culture and peaceful island life.

Nature and Landscapes

Lääne County is famous for its diverse natural beauty. You can find everything from coastal areas to forests and bogs.

Matsalu National Park

A very important part of Lääne County is Matsalu National Park. This park is a huge area that protects many different kinds of birds. It's one of the most important bird-watching spots in Europe! Thousands of birds stop here during their migrations.

Islands and Coastline

The county has a long coastline along the Baltic Sea. There are also many small islands, like Vormsi and Osmussaar. These islands offer unique landscapes and a chance to see rare plants and animals. The sea also provides beautiful views and opportunities for outdoor activities.

Bogs and Rivers

Inland, you can find large bogs, like the Marimetsa bog. These are wetlands with unique ecosystems. Rivers like the Kasari River flow through the county, adding to its natural beauty.

History and Culture

Lääne County has a rich history, with many old castles and churches.

Historic Castles

You can find several old castles in Lääne County.

Haapsalu Castle is a well-known medieval castle in the capital city. It has a fascinating history and even a legend about a White Lady ghost!
Koluvere Castle is another impressive historic building. These castles tell stories of knights and ancient times.
Ungru Castle is an interesting ruin that looks like a grand old manor.

Churches and Manors

The county is also home to many old churches, like the ones in Lihula, Noarootsi, and Haapsalu Castle church. These buildings show the long history of the area. You can also see beautiful old manor houses, like Koluvere manor.